The Recall Desk
Agency classClass IIOur severity:ModerateFDA (Devices)·Z-1046-2018·Announced 2018-03-21

Zimmer Biomet Recalls Hip and Knee Implants Due to Packaging Residue

Zimmer Biomet is recalling 13,227 hip and knee implants because LDPE bag packaging may leave residue on the polished surface.

The agency’s classification

FDA (Devices): Class II

Class II is a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.

This is the agency’s own classification, taken from its notice. The severity score below is our assessment, not the agency’s. How recall classes work

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 2/5 (Moderate).

Minor labeling or packaging issue, or a voluntary precautionary recall. Risk of harm is low but real — follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Our severity reasoning: The recall is classified as FDA Class II, but the source text describes a packaging defect (residue) without reporting any illnesses, injuries, or hospitalizations, fitting the criteria for a moderate severity voluntary precautionary recall.

Plain-English summary

Zimmer Biomet, Inc. is recalling 13,227 units of CR-FLEX OPT FEM hip and knee implants. The recall covers specific model variations including C-R, D-L, D-R, E-L, E-R, F-L, F-R, G-L, and G-R MINUS configurations. These devices are indicated for patients with severe knee pain and disability.

The recall was initiated because the LDPE bag packaging used for these highly polished implants may adhere to the surface. This adhesion can leave residue or material from the bag on the implant after it is removed from the packaging.

The affected units were distributed worldwide, including nationwide in the United States and in countries such as Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Seoul-Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and UAE. Healthcare providers and patients should contact Zimmer Biomet for further instructions regarding the affected devices.

The recalled product

Product
CR-FLEX OPT FEM C-R MINUS CR-FLEX OPT FEM D-L MINUS CR-FLEX OPT FEM D-R MINUS CR-FLEX OPT FEM E-L MINUS CR-FLEX OPT FEM E-R MINUS CR-FLEX OPT FEM F-L MINUS CR-FLEX OPT FEM F-R MINUS CR-FLEX OPT FEM G-L MINUS CR-FLEX OPT FEM G-R MINUS This device is indicated for…
Manufacturer
Zimmer Biomet, Inc.
Category
Medical Device — Orthopedic Implants
Hazard
Affected units
13,227

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Part of a larger recall action

This product is one of 48 recalled by Zimmer Biomet, Inc. under a single FDA (Devices) recall action. The agency files each product separately, so the size of the action is not visible from this page alone.

See all 48 products in this recall →

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